So where is the best cat skiing in BC? Click on the image above to find out

CAT Skiing

Cat Skiing BC Canada Reviews

Cat skiing BC is paradise for powderhounds. With all that fresh powder to sniff out and face shots galore, a powderhound’s tail will definitely be wagging if they go British Columbia cat skiing.

Many avid skiers and boarders around the world don’t know what cat skiing is, but the Canadians certainly do, and for them “knowledge is powder”!

What is Cat Skiing?

So why would a powder hound (a dog) want to go cat skiing? Shouldn’t it be dog skiing? So if you’re wondering what the hell cat skiing is, it’s a fabulous form of guided backcountry skiing and snowboarding.

Cats or snowcats are large grooming style machines that transport about 14 skiers and snowboarders up to backcountry areas in a purpose built cabin. Whilst skiers and snowboarders are guided down fresh powder runs, the cat makes its way back to the bottom to pick them up to take them on the next run. Most BC cat ski operators have exclusive access to a large ski area that’s big enough to ensure riders always have fresh tracks for powder skiing – awesome!

Benefits of Cat Skiing Canada

BC cat skiing offers an opportunity to get away from the congestion and crowds at the ski resorts. “There are no friends on a powder day” is a common saying, but when you go cat skiing there is no powder panic and no need to use your elbows to get fresh lines. Freshies are almost guaranteed, and you only have to share the powder with a small group. Of course another huge benefit of Canada cat skiing is that there are no mogul runs and definitely no unruly lift queues.

Snowcat skiing has some similarities to heli skiing, with one of the main differences being that it’s much cheaper. Heli skiing also has grounded days where the helicopter can’t fly due to the weather. Thankfully snowcats can still go out in snow storms, and when the powder is falling is when you most want to be out there skiing.

The only downside to cat skiing BC is that it’s very easy to develop an addiction to powder skiing. You have been warned!

Where is Cat Skiing in Canada?

Cat-skiing was pioneered in the Kootenay Rockies over 25 years ago, and British Columbia Canada continues to be the home of cat skiing.

The British Columbia Interior is renowned for cat skiing within mountain ranges such as the Rockies, Monashees, Selkirks, Purcells and Valhallas. The cat skiing areas in these mountains are renowned for receiving large quantities of light dry powder with phenomenal annual snowfalls of 12-18 metres. Pack your snorkel!

Due to the legendary snowfall, the area in the south-east corner of British Columbia has been called the Powder Triangle. There’s a bit of debate as to how far the triangle extends, but it includes the areas near Nelson, Rossland, Fernie, Meadow Creek, Revelstoke and Golden.

The Nelson region has the greatest concentration of BC cat skiing operations, which includes Retallack and Valhalla Powdercats, a day operator. Big Red Cats near Rossland is also in the vicinity of Nelson, and Meadow Creek about 1:45 hours north of Nelson has a couple of cat ski operators including White Grizzly and the famous Selkirk Snowcat Skiing (the inventors of cat skiing).

Snowcat Skiing Safety

The discipline of cat skiing is not without risks considering that it occurs in the remote backcountry. Avalanches are one of the primary hazard concerns and the operations put various strategies in place to lessen the risk.

The BC cat skiing industry is highly regulated so the emphasis on safety is much higher than with cat skiing in other parts of the world. Cat skiing BC has very high standards in relation to avalanche mitigation strategies and the safety briefings provided, and all operators provide highly qualified lead and tail guides to accompany the cat skiing group.

Types of Cat Skiing BC

Multi-Day Packages
The most common format of cat skiing in Canada is that of multi-day trips that range from 2 to 7 days (i.e. destination cat skiing). The packages include all meals, and accommodation is provided in an exclusive remote lodge (or in a tented camp in the case of Skeena Cat Skiing). Sometimes these wilderness lodges can be only be accessed by snowcat or helicopter.
Multi-day operations include:

Single-Day Packages
Another category is operators that only offer single day cat skiing. Of course you can go cat skiing more than one day, but accommodation is not included in the package.
Most day cat skiing operations tend to be near ski resorts or significant towns. This is ideal for people visiting the area to get a taste of what cat skiing is all about before plunging in head-first to a cat ski powder holiday.
Some day cat skiing operations are:

Some multi-day operators also provide day skiing on a stand-by arrangement if space is available.
Our cat skiing Canada stats comparison provides an overview of the type of package on offer for each company.

Go Powder Cat Skiing

A large survey of cat skiing and heli skiing was commissioned in BC Canada. The survey results speak volumes – 98% of first time cat skiers indicated that they plan to go cat skiing again. Once experienced, forever addicted!

NB Many of the BC cat skiing operations fill up quickly, so try to book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Canada's Top 5 Rated Cat Skiing Packages

From price based on 6 nights twin/double-share room and 5 days cat skiing in high season.
Base/invoice currency is in CAD ex taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.

Price p/p

USD 4,556

Ability:Strong Intermediate to Expert

The Selkirk Classic includes 6 nights of accommodation in the Selkirk Wilderness Lodge plus 5 days of cat skiing. The ultimate ski holiday starts on a Sunday afternoon and goes until the following Saturday morning.

From price based on 3-day/3-night, twin/double or triple-share room, regular season (rates per person).
Base/invoice currency is in CAD ex taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.

Price p/p

USD 2,470

Ability:Strong Intermediate to Expert

A few days or a week long adventure with White Grizzly will have you grinning from ear to ear for months afterwards. Located in the Kootenays, where you will find epic powder combined with exceptional terrain. Packages include lodging (Canadian Log Cabin style), guided cat skiing, all meals and use of avo safety gear

From price based on 3 night/3 day package in twin/double-share room in high season.
Base/invoice currency is in CAD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.

Price p/p

USD 2,576

Lock in 2016 rates (as advertised) before rise of 5% on May 31

Ability:Intermediate to Expert

Great Northern Snowcat Skiing (GNSS) offers fabulous multi-day mixed-group packages from 3 to 7 Nights (3 to 6 days of cat skiing) staying in their private lodge. All meals are included in the package.

From price based on 3-day package which includes 3 days cat skiing & 3 nights lodging in high season
Base/invoice currency is in CAD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.

Price p/p

USD 2,912

Ability:Strong Intermediate to Expert

Chatter Creek offers 4 & 5 day cat skiing packages (3 days early & late season) inclusive of accommodation, meals and helicopter transfer to the lodge. 4 day packages offer 3 days of cat skiing, 5 days offer 4 days of cat skiing & 3 days offer 2 days of cat skiing.

From price is per person for 3 day/3 night package in lowseason
base/invoice currency is CAD
Displayed price many vary slightly due to currency fluctuations

Price p/p

USD 1,708

Ability:Intermediate to Expert

MPS offers two package options. Either 4 nights & 4 days of skiing/riding (starting on Sundays) or 3 nights & 3 days of skiing/riding (starting on Thursdays). Tour dates sell out very quickly so get in before it's too late.